Photo: Lethbridge College Kodiaks on Facebook

By Justin Goulet

Kodiaks basketball teams fall in ACAC championship tournament openers

Mar 6, 2020 | 10:55 AM

CAMROSE, AB – Going into the ACAC championships, it appeared as though the Lethbridge College Kodiaks men’s basketball team were sure-fire favourites to win it all.

Unfortunately for Kodiaks fans, that was not meant to be. The team who finished the regular season with a 20-1 record were upset by the NAIT Ooks in the tournament quarterfinals.

Final score was 104-92 for the Ooks. Sean-Michael Clancey scored a game-high 39 points for NAIT. Clancey also knocked down six of 11 three-point attempts.

The Northern Alberta team entered the competition ranked fourth in their division, finishing the regular season with a 14-10 record.

The team ended up shooting 57 percent from three-point range, as the game came down to the wire.

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Lethbridge held an 88-82 lead with just under five minutes to play. Following a timeout, the Ooks scored the next nine points and converted a pair of steals to help build a commanding lead.

Clancey scored 16 of his 39 in the final quarter. That included three shots from beyond the arc. He was also 10 for 10 from the free throw line during the final 10 minutes of the game.

For Lethbridge, Orin Porter Jr. and Chase Bohne each scored 22 points.

The Kodiaks will face the host University of Alberta-Augustana in the second consolation semi-final Friday (March 6) at 3:00 p.m. NAIT moves on to face Ambrose University at 8:00 p.m.

For more information on the tournament, visit acac.ab.ca.

WOMEN’S TEAM

The women’s squad faced off against the Lakeland College Rustlers.

It was a hard-fought battle, but Lethbridge lost 72-64 in the quarterfinal matchup. For the Kodiaks, they were led by Matlin McMurray, who scored 14 points and grabbed down 11 rebounds.

Jaden Cook scored 18 points for Lakeland. The Rustlers went into the game ranked second in the north division and Lethbridge finished the season ranked third in the south.

The Kodiaks led 35-30 at half-time but their lead was cut to one with the score at 51-50 at the end of the third quarter. In the final frame, Lakeland scored 22 points to Lethbridge’s 13, leading to the win.

The Rustlers move on to a semi-final meeting against Olds College at 6:00 p.m. Friday (March 6). The Kodiaks women’s team will face Augustana in a consolation semi-final at 1:00 p.m.

For full scheduling, visit acac.ab.ca.